The injured Iowa football offensive lineman practiced with the Hawkeyes on Friday

Could starting center Logan Jones be preparing to try out against Missouri in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl? Or is Jones just serving as a potential backup plan against the Tigers?

Despite a reported broken bone in his right hand, Jones practiced with the Hawkeyes on Friday. Jones was absent from Thursday’s 11-on-11 game, but the 6-foot-1, 220-pound center was back Friday with a big stick on his right hand.

Jones’ right hand is his snapping hand. But during Friday’s practice, Jones worked under center, snapping left-handed.

Logan Jones is training again today. Snaps with the left hand. Right hand still in plaster. pic.twitter.com/GiddAdrD02

— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) December 27, 2024

Prior to the Hawkeyes’ bowl date, Jones started all 12 games at center for Iowa this season. Jones has made 38 starts at center for the Hawkeyes over the past three seasons.

If Jones can’t go, Iowa will turn to fifth-year backup Tyler Elsbury. Elsbury has started five games during his Iowa career, with one of those starts coming at center against Nebraska to cap the 2023 regular season.

Jones recently announced he would return for the 2025 season to soften the blow if he is unable to play against Missouri.

In any case, listening to Jones’ teammates, it still sounds and feels like Elsbury would get the nod at center and Jones would work as one of the backup options for the Hawkeyes.

“The only good thing about this, in my opinion, is that Logan is coming back and Els can’t,” Richman said of Jones’ injury. “The only thing that’s nice about it for me is that Els gets his chance.

“I know he played a few games there and had ups and downs, but I think he’s ready for it. He died for it. I think after learning the news that he learned last month, he was just ready to get to work with the group and help lead us out there as a center.”

Iowa starting right tackle Gennings Dunker also recently announced his return to the Hawkeyes for the 2025 season. Like Richman, Dunker is excited for Elsbury to get one last chance to start for the Hawkeyes against Missouri.

“He’s probably one of the best backup centers in the country,” Dunker said. “He’s pretty good. It kind of sucks being stuck behind LoJo, but he’s really talented.”

Iowa concludes its 2024 season against Missouri on Monday, December 30, with a 1:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The game will be televised on ESPN.

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